Raspberry Pi model B+ launched

The original Raspberry Pi miniature system birthed a bunch of exciting projects around the world, from teaching children the basics of programming and integration, to building quadcopters, MAME machines, time-lapse cameras and a host of others. Now though a new version has been launched, with the creators keen to point out this isn't the Raspberry Pi version 2.0, but rather, the B+, a refined iteration of the B model launched two years ago.

“Today, I’m very pleased to be able to announce the immediate availability, at $35 – it’s still the same price, of what we’re calling the Raspberry Pi Model B+,” said the creators on the official blog, showing a new image of the tiny little system board.

• More GPIO. The GPIO header has grown to 40 pins, while retaining the same pinout for the first 26 pins as the Model B.
• More USB. There's now 4 USB 2.0 ports, compared to 2 on the Model B, and improved hotplug and overcurrent behaviour.
• Micro SD. The old friction-fit SD card socket has been replaced with a push-push micro SD version.
• Lower power consumption. Linear regulators replaced with switching ones, reducing power consumption by between 0.5W and 1W.
• Better audio. The audio circuit incorporates a dedicated low-noise power supply now.
• Neater form factor. USB connectors have been aligned with the board edge, moved composite video onto the 3.5mm jack, and added four squarely-placed mounting holes.

The B will remain on sale for the foreseeable future, right alongside the B+, to make sure that industrial customers that have designed products around the B, can continue to sell them without needing to redesign. This will remain the case until demand drops off.

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KitGuru Says: Support from fans of the Pi seems to suggest that the B+ is a great little upgrade. Have any of you got any projects in mind for the system?

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